In past years Caltrans has almost always had the road open from the east all the way to the Tioga Pass entrance well before the plows break through from the west...even when the road report says otherwise.

If it doesn't snow, I'll probably head south on 395 Tuesday and check it out.

We drove from Tahoe to Lee Vining today. The lower gate on Tioga Road was closed and locked so we just hung a left onto the Poole Power Plant road and drove along Lee Vining Creek for aways. Stopped at a small turnout by a huge pine and walked down to the creek. We couldn't stay though because the wind was howling down the canyon, blowing branches out of the trees and such.

Both going and coming back on 395 the wind was brutal to drive in. CHP was stopping large trucks and campers and not allowing them to travel between Bridgeport and Mono Lake.

I'm thinking the Hwy 120 gate might have been closed because of the wind but I couldn't find out for sure.

I'm not really sure about all the towns, gates and locations mentioned above. It is very difficult to find on internet maps as well because I don't know where to look basically. Will it be possible to enter the park from the Lee Vining side any time soon and drive all the way via the pass (120) to the exit at El Portal (140)? Could anyone publicate a map of some sort with the plowed areas marked on it? Much obliged, the Dutch guy....

It sounds like it's plowed all the way through, but are still clearing avalanche zones and such, so that the road is not yet open to traffic. If you drive up from the Lee Vining side, you can park a couple hundred meters from the gate and walk into the park. For me, this is the best time of year to visit - absolutely dead quiet and beautiful. Sonora Pass is open, so you can get around the park to the north to get back & forth between the east and west sides that way.

I understand the peace and quiet is the perfect surrounding to soak up all of Yosemite. Unfortuntelly I live in The Netherlands and due to work related restrictions I am only able to visit Yosemite in my holiday period. I am flying to L.A. on the 23rd, then take a tour of Big Sur and SF before heading towards Yosemite and Kings (end of may). I have to head on as well direction Nevada, Arizona... So there is a specific time frame I am working with. I'd love to live near the park to enjoy all seasons as well as the peaceful times, all those who can should count themselves lucky!!

Thanks for the additional info anyway, I will keep track of the infrastructure and avalanche zone repairs! Greetz from Holland.